Asian Para Games: Mona Agarwal equals world record, wins Gold In 10m Air Rifle SH1, Silver For Avani Lekhara
PTC News Desk: Mona Agarwal created a new Asian Para Games record on Monday, October 19, to win gold for India in the women’s 10m air rifle SH1 event at the Asian Para Games 2026. The 38-year-old shooter from Sikar, Rajasthan, finished ahead of defending champion Avani Lekhara to claim the biggest medal of her career. Mona, who won bronze at the 2024 Paralympic Games, scored 250.0 points in the final.
Avani, a two-time Paralympic gold medallist, secured silver with a score of 249.6 points. South Korea’s Yunri Lee won bronze with 227.9 points. Avani was leading after Series 5 of Stage 2, but Mona staged an impressive comeback in the final two series to take the top spot.
The contest remained close until the final shots, with Mona leading Avani by just 0.1 points — 239.2 to 239.1.
Avani had won gold in the same event at the 2022 Asian Para Games in Hangzhou, setting the previous Games record with a score of 249.6. Although she matched that score this time, it was not enough to defend her title. Mona also holds the Asian record in the women’s 10m air rifle SH1 event. She scored 250.8 points in Changwon, South Korea, on April 24, 2024.
The world record belongs to Ukraine’s Iryna Shchetnik, who scored 252.0 points in Rotterdam on August 23, 2018.
The SH1 category is for shooting athletes with lower-limb impairments.
Mona sets qualification record
Mona Agarwal also topped the qualification round with a total of 629.1 points across six series, setting a new Asian Para Games record. She broke the previous record held by China’s Zhang Cuiping.
Mona narrowly missed the world record of 629.4 points, jointly held by fellow Indian shooter Avani Lekhara and Slovakia’s Veronika Vadovicova.
Avani also performed strongly in the qualification round, securing her place in the final before going on to win the silver medal.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Mona Agarwal on winning Gold in the Women’s 10m Air Rifle Standing SH1 event at the Asian Para Games 2026.
The Prime Minister noted that her outstanding score also set a new Asian Para Games Record, making India’s opening day even more special. He lauded her precision, determination and composure, and wished her continued success in the competitions ahead.
The Prime Minister’s Office wrote on X;
“Congratulations to Mona Agarwal on winning Gold in the Women’s 10m Air Rifle Standing SH1 event at the Asian Para Games 2026! Thanks to her outstanding score, she has also set a new Asian Para Games Record! It is a remarkable achievement that makes India’s opening day even more special. Her precision, determination and composure are truly commendable. Wishing her continued success in the competitions ahead: PM @narendramodi”
- PTC NEWS
